What is Residential Construction?

Residential construction consists of projects, such as building, renovating or adding onto existing homes that are designated for residential use. In many cases, contractors are working directly with people who have entrusted them with protecting their largest and most personal investment—their homes. So, it’s essential to develop strong communication skills and maintain professional values of honesty and integrity.

“People are inviting you in their home. If they think you're questionable, they probably won't hire you. They'll look for somebody else, even if it's more expensive,” warns Andrew Neumann, associate professor. “Keep that line of communication open and just be honest, and you'll have more work than you could ever get to.”

Training for a career in construction

Delta’s residential construction program functions as a foundational program. After completion, you may get started working in the field as a laborer or you may continue your education and apply many of your credits toward an additional degree in construction management—providing more opportunities for advancement within the industry.

Delta’s construction programs start later and end earlier than all other academic programs established at the college, taking into account the busy construction season in Michigan. With that in mind, your classes won’t begin until September and will conclude by April 1, making it easier to balance your school schedule with your work schedule.

In Delta’s construction program, you’ll begin in a controlled lab environment, working closely with peers and instructors. You’ll develop foundational knowledge and technical skills from building systems and field safety and become familiar with the latest equipment and technology. You’ll end the first year prepared and confident to work on real job sites throughout your second year in the program.

“My favorite class was the framing class. We got to learn what it takes to frame a house. We took what we learned in the lab and got to work on a job site,” says Katie Koon, student. “The class sizes are smaller so there’s more one-on-one with the instructors and it’s more hands on, which is super nice, especially for someone who doesn’t have a lot of hands-on experience.”